Minister Hackett commences agri-food Trade Mission to the US

Four-day itinerary to include trade meetings and engagements across Austin, Houston and Seattle

Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is today (Sunday) leading a major agri-food trade mission to the United States (March 24th - 27th) in collaboration with Bord Bia and Irish food and beverage exporters. The purpose of this visit, which will focus on engagements in Texas and Seattle, is to consolidate, enhance and strengthen Irish agri-food exports to the United States particularly, on this occasion, to States outside of Ireland's historic and cultural centres of influence. The United States is a key market for Irish agri-food and drink exports and were worth €1.6 billion in 2023.

Speaking ahead of the trade mission, Minister Hackett stated:

"This Trade Mission is a great opportunity to develop new trading relationships in areas of the United States that might not be traditionally identified by Irish exporters. The size and scale of the market place in the United States represents a significant opportunity for our high quality food and drink exporters. Our focus will be on building new relationships, working to widen market access as well as strengthening our existing links with the US, which is one of our largest trading partners."

During the four-day itinerary, Minister Hackett will meet with leading US retail, foodservice and distributors who are customers of Irish food and drink. This will involve promotion of Irish dairy, meat, prepared consumer foods and beverages and will also use the opportunity to highlight the sustainability of Irish food exports and the continued growth of the Irish organic sector. She will also attend a "Spirit of Ireland" event hosted by Bord Bia in partnership with the Irish drinks industry. Spirit of Ireland is an immersive event focused on building awareness of Irish spirits within the US alcohol trade industry and priority target customer accounts. This event, taking place in Austin, is expected to attract up to 100 alcohol buyers and representatives from 18 Irish spirit brands.

Bord Bia CEO, Jim O'Toole, who will accompany Minister Hackett on the Trade Mission, added

"Irish food and drink exports to the US have seen exceptional growth in recent years, with last year's total exports representing a 26% increase in value since 2019. Throughout the month of March, Bord Bia has organised a number of US market focused events and activations including a US insights day for Irish exporters (March 1st), a seafood market study visit to Boston, and participation at the Annual Meat Conference in Nashville Tennessee (March 18th-20th). These events, and this week's Ministerial-led trade mission, will further help bolster the work of Bord Bia's Global Business Development and North American teams in this highly valuable market."

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Irish food and drink exports to the United States:

- Total agri-food exports to the US in 2023 were €1.6 billion (CSO). The main categories were Beverages €690 million and dairy €684 million.

- Exports declined by 8% last year, largely accounted for by a fall in drink exports due to a significant build up on stock in the market over the course of 2022 and 2023. The US remains the key export market for Irish drink representing 42% of the total export value.

- Irish dairy exports continue to drive significant value and volume increases in the US. In 2023, the value of dairy exports to the US exceeded €684 million i.e. 42% of total agri-food exports from Ireland to the US. This is up 1% on the previous year. Butter exports were valued at €310 million last year, while cheese exports grew by 25% to €85 million.

- The US is also an important market for casein, with exports of just under €105 million in 2023, representing 15.5% of the dairy category.

- Ireland was the first EU member state to be granted access to the US beef market in 2015 and exports were worth €15m in 2023. We have also secured access for lamb in 2022 and the Minister's Department is working with interested exporters if they wish to become eligible for US approval.

- Bord Bia's engagement with customer accounts for Irish beef and prospective accounts for Irish lamb has also been amplified by its investment under the EU co-funded campaign for beef and lamb, launched in 2023.

- A number of key events showcasing and raising awareness of Irish beef have been undertaken with key trade and media audiences over the course of the campaign, including a presence at the MICA Annual Meat Conference in Nashville TN in March 2024.

- Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) exports to the United States reached €121 million in 2023, representing an increase of 21% for the sector. The US, particularly for chocolate confectionary producers, has become an important focus as Irish producers continue to seek to diversify their export footprint post Brexit.